Our volunteers are the reason seniors and disabled neighbors are receiving more than a meal year-round. We love all of our volunteers and couldn't do what we do without you!
As a thank you to our amazing volunteers, Meals on Wheels San Antonio's Community Engagement team picks a volunteer to be featured as our Volunteer of The Month!
Learn more about our December Volunteer of the Month below!
DECEMBER 2024
Our December Volunteer of the Month is Ross Lawler! After retiring three years ago from a remarkable 45-year career teaching in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School, Ross wanted to find a meaningful way to give back. Reflecting on his career caring for patients, he became increasingly aware of how fortunate he was and wanted to continue caring for others.
As a Meals on Wheels volunteer for the past two years, Ross has delivered more than a meal to the clients on his routes. He loves that by volunteering, he can ensure that seniors age safely and independently in their homes while providing a mutual sense of connection to those he delivers to. He shares, "Delivering for Meals on Wheels is one of the few activities that leave me with more energy than when I began. It is a blessing."
Thank you, Ross, for helping us deliver More Than A Meal® and for your dedication to making a difference in the lives of others!
See our past star volunteers below!
november 2024
Our November Volunteer of the Month is Henry De La Cerda! After retiring from the state of Texas, Henry was looking for a way to stay busy. Back in 2019, he was eating lunch at a Chinese restaurant with his parents when he opened his fortune cookie and it read, "Don't just live and let live, live and help live." He took this advice to heart and signed up for Meals on Wheels and several other volunteer opportunities that week.
What started as just him delivering meals to the clients on his routes, his dad, Henry Sr., started joining him over time, and they now deliver together, his dad as the driver and him as the one making the deliveries. They deliver every Thursday so they can see the same people regularly and look forward to visiting them. The relationships he's been able to form with those he regularly delivers to is his favorite part of volunteering.
Henry truly supports our mission, saying, "Some people are looking for more than just a meal, and there are times when just a couple minutes of your time can make someone else's day better." To this day, he still carries in his wallet the fortune he received that day, which started his efforts to make the world "a little bit better."
Thank you, Henry, for helping us deliver More Than A Meal®
OCTOBER 2024
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Our October Volunteer of the Month is Ted Morse! After dedicating 46 years to military service and working as a Department of Defense contractor, Ted embraced retirement by continuing to serve others. Since 2016, he has delivered more than just meals to our senior and homebound neighbors.
As a dedicated meal delivery and friendly visitor volunteer, Ted ensures that each person he visits receives a nutritious meal and a friendly check-in. Ted's volunteer work truly supports our mission of bringing nourishment and companionship to clients who may feel isolated.
Ted's favorite part of volunteering is being there for clients who appreciate a friendly face at the door. "It is my pleasure to serve as a Meals on Wheels volunteer," he says, and we couldn't be more grateful for his dedication to serving our community.
Thank you, Ted, for your continued service and for helping us deliver More Than A Meal®
SEPTEMBER 2024
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Our September Volunteer of the Month is Pepper! For 11 years, Pepper has supported nonprofits in our community, such as Meals on Wheels San Antonio, through The Big Give! The Big Give is an incredible 24-hour online giving event for donors to support local nonprofits, including Meals on Wheels San Antonio. This year's event starts September 18 at 6 p.m., where your donation can help us get one of the four new vehicles we need to continue providing nutritious meals and essential services to our community's seniors and homebound individuals.
Pepper's dedication to supporting the Meals on Wheels mission is evident by the extra kick of community spirit they bring. Whether Pepper is packing Power Packs or delivering meals to those we serve, they really know how to add a dash of enthusiasm and a pinch of joy to our mission!
Thank you to Pepper and to our entire community for helping us deliver More Than A Meal®. Your ongoing support makes our mission possible, and we are truly grateful for your commitment.
AUGUST 2024
Our August Volunteer of the Month is Paula Berry! Paula has been working for Broadway Bank, a big supporter in our community, for 12 years.
Paula first experienced volunteering with Meals on Wheels when she and some coworkers at Broadway Bank came to help assemble shelf-stable meals. While volunteering, she learned about the different volunteer opportunities she could get involved with. Paula's dedication to serving our clients is greatly appreciated. Not only does she assist meal delivery clients, but she also helps with our AniMeals program, where her dog Yoshi is sometimes her delivery partner.
Her support is most evident in her dedication to our Alzheimer's service clients, where she helps assemble our Grace At Home kits. Paula's family has a history of Alzheimer's and other Dementia, and she's always amazed at the items that are provided to our Alzheimer's service clients. These items give her ideas for activities she can do with those close to her who are also living with Alzheimer's and dementia.
Paula's favorite part about volunteering is best described by author Leo Buscaglia: "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Volunteering allows her to do all of those things, and in return, it brings her and our clients joy.
Thank you to Paula for helping deliver More Than A Meal®
JuLY 2024
Our July Volunteer of the Month is Coco Tipton! Coco taught in the North East Independent School District for 34 years before retiring in 2019.
Our July Volunteer of the Month, Coco Tipton, is a shining example of growth and commitment. She began her journey with us as a meal delivery volunteer in the fall of 2023. However, it was not long before she discovered her true calling as a Friendly Visitor volunteer. Coco's dedication is evident in her regular visits to Meals on Wheels client Emma and her thoughtful check-ins through Friendly Calls to other clients who value the additional support.
Coco's dedication to those Meals on Wheels serves runs in the family. She had a relative who worked here years ago, and she witnessed his love and passion for the people we serve. She decided the time was right for her to participate and said her experience has exceeded her expectations!
Coco enjoys chatting on the phone with clients, many of whom tell her the person who brings meals is the only person they see in a day. She said, "The overwhelming response I hear is their gratitude, and gratitude makes everyone happier."
Coco's favorite part about volunteering is spending time with Emma, as a Friendly Visitor volunteer. They put together puzzles and play Dominoes and Scrabble. Emma has won every game they've played. "She can count Dominoes in her head faster than anyone I know," Coco exclaims.
One of the best things Coco has ever heard was when a woman she talked to on the phone said, "Her favorite word was 'impossible.' She went on to explain that when you break it into two words, it says, 'I'm possible!' I love that unexpected play on words, especially one that turns something negative into something positive."
Thank you to Coco for being a beam of positivity for every client she speaks with! She truly ensures our clients More Than A Meal®
June 2024
Our June Volunteer of the Month is William Fuller! William is retired from the workforce but has been a member of our meal delivery volunteer force since 2019.
William's dedication to volunteering is not just about helping people in the community. It's also a beautiful way for him and his wife to spend quality time together, delivering meals side by side.
They truly do deliver more than a meal because they've helped ensure clients stay comfortable and safe in their homes. An example of that is when William and his wife installed an AC unit in a client's home.
William's favorite part of being a volunteer is meeting new people and being able to help others in good faith.
Thank you to William for ensuring our clients receive proper nutrition and helping to deliver more than a meal!
MAY 2024
Our May Volunteer of the Month is Anne Burt! Anne is retired from the US Air Force. She's been a proud AniMeals Delivery volunteer with Meals on Wheels since 2019!!
Once Anne heard about AniMeals, she knew she had to volunteer. "My husband and I have had several routes throughout the years and have made many friends, furry and human! We are dog owners and lovers, and I can only imagine the feeling of not being able to provide nutritious food to my pet family members."
Anne is also an artist. Because of her passion for helping, she generously donates a portion of her art sales to several nonprofits, including Meals on Wheels San Antonio's AniMeals service. Her contributions have helped us continue our mission of providing meals and companionship to the elderly, making a tangible difference in their lives.
Through her unwavering dedication, Anne has provided nutritious food to our clients' pets and ensured our clients have daily companionship. We are truly grateful for your efforts, Anne, in making our clients' pets furtastic!
April 2024
Our April Volunteer of the Month is Hortencia Andrada! Hortencia is a realtor with a passion for helping others. She's been a Friendly Visitor volunteer with Meals on Wheels client Carmen for almost a year.
Hortencia volunteers with Meals on Wheels because she wants to do something close and dear to her heart. "The Elderly community is a group of people that I feel are forgotten. I have had family in nursing homes, and it would break my heart to see all these elderly individuals who were all alone... They were so alone."
Her favorite part of volunteering is being there for Carmen. Hortencia is there for her to listen, talk, and drink a cup of tea. Time flies by, and she's been visiting for 3 hours before Hortencia realizes it.
Dedicated volunteers like Hortencia have made it possible to ensure that our clients truly receive more than a meal. Thank you, Hortencia, for brightening up Carmen's day!
March 2024
Our March Volunteer of the Month is Sherilyn Powers! Sherilyn is a retired RN, whose career spanned 23 years working in rehab at our VA Hospital.
She's a meal delivery volunteer who has been delivering meals for over four years! Sherilyn volunteers as a way to give back to her community and she said, " I enjoy getting to know the families I deliver to."
Dedicated volunteers like Sherilyn have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Sherilyn, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
February 2024
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Our February Volunteer of the Month is Jan Danielski! Jan is retired, volunteers as a meal delivery driver, and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since February 2007!
Jan loves delivering meals with her husband every Monday and Wednesday! She volunteers because " I have been blessed us in so many ways, I want to be a blessing to others in need." We're thankful to have volunteers like Jan to help our clients receive their meals!
Her favorite part of volunteering is "clients that become friends! We have past clients we still keep in touch with." We appreciate you, Jan, for providing that connection and friendship to our clients and helping deliver more than a meal!
Dedicated volunteers like Jan have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Jan, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
January 2024
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Our January Volunteer of the Month is Timothy Yasger! Timothy is a retired school teacher and volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since February 2023!
Timothy loves volunteering and says, "I wanted to give back to the seniors of San Antonio who have done so much for all of us. "We're thankful to have volunteers like Timothy to help our clients receive their meals!
His favorite part of volunteering is "visiting with all the friends I've made on my route." We appreciate you, Timothy, for providing that connection and friendship to our clients and helping deliver more than a meal!
Dedicated volunteers like Timothy have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Timothy, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
December 2023
Our December Volunteer of the Month is David Klar! David is retired, volunteers as a meal delivery driver, and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since 2012!
David delivers out of our Holy Trinity pick-up site, and we know we can count on him to help deliver freshly prepared meals to our older and disabled neighbors. David loves volunteering and says, "I wanted to give back my time to a cause that helps people in need, and Meals on Wheels is a great organization that offers me the flexibility to deliver meals on various routes." We're thankful to have volunteers like David to help our clients receive their meals!
His favorite part of volunteering is " the smiling faces and conversations I have with those I serve." We appreciate you, David, for providing that connection and friendship to our clients and helping deliver more than a meal!
Dedicated volunteers like David have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, David, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
October 2023
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Our October Volunteer of the Month is Charlotte Martin! Charlotte is retired, volunteers as a meal delivery driver, and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since 2008!
We know we can count on Charlotte every Monday to help deliver freshly prepared meals to our older and disabled neighbors. She loves delivering nutritious meals because "I remembered that my three aunts and one uncle had received MoW deliveries and how much this helped their lives." We're thankful to have volunteers like Charlotte to help our clients receive their meals!
Her favorite part of volunteering is "seeing my wonderful clients...many have had such interesting lives!" She adds, "I feel that my clients look forward to seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing them." We appreciate you, Charlotte, for providing that connection and friendship to our clients and helping deliver more than a meal!
Dedicated volunteers like Charlotte have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Charlotte, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
September 2023
Our September Volunteer of the Month is David Overpeck! David is an independent insurance agent, helping seniors with Medicare questions and enrollment. He volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since 2017!
We know we can count on David (and his partner) every Monday and Wednesday to help deliver freshly prepared meals to our older and disabled neighbors. He delivers nutritious meals because "I love helping seniors because many seem to be forgotten in today's fast life." We're thankful to have volunteers like David to help our clients receive their meals!
His favorite part of volunteering is the "personal contact and friendship I have with the wonderful people I meet and help." We appreciate you, David, for providing that connection and friendship to our clients and helping deliver more than a meal!
Dedicated volunteers like David have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, David, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
August 2023
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Our August Volunteer of the Month is Noel Mesa! Noel is retired and volunteers as a meal delivery driver, and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since 2019.
We can always count on Noel to help deliver freshly prepared meals to our older and disabled neighbors. She chooses to deliver because "I love doing this! I enjoy delivering and seeing how they are because they have become special to me." We're thankful to have volunteers like Noel to help our clients receive their meals!
Her favorite part of volunteering is "seeing the people and brightening their day." Noel brightens our day, and we know she also brightens our client's day. We appreciate you, Noel, for helping deliver more than a meal to our seniors!
Dedicated volunteers like Noel have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Noel, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
July 2023
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Our July Volunteer of the Month is Michael Filoteo! Micahel is retired and volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since 2015.
Michael first heard about Meals on Wheels because "my mom started helping (then) receiving a when she couldn't help any longer she just received." He credits his mom for helping him deliver meals and adds, "I wanted to give back to the community." We're thankful to have volunteers like Michael to help our clients receive their meals!
His favorite part of volunteering is "talking to the clients, making sure they are okay, and making sure they get a meal for the day." We appreciate you, Michael, for helping deliver to our clients!
Dedicated volunteers like Micahel have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition.
Thank you, Michael, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
June 2023
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Our June Volunteer of the Month is John Faulkner! John volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors since 2016.
John started delivering because "it's my way to help those in need." He adds, "I enjoy working with the staff at MOW, and I look forward to my delivery schedules!"
His favorite part of volunteering is "knowing that I am part of something that contributes so much to our community and those in need." We appreciate you, John, for helping deliver to our clients!
Dedicated volunteers like John have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition.
Thank you, John, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
May 2023
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Our May Volunteer of the Month is David Schrantz! David volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering since moving to San Antonio in 2010. David delivers solo but has taken his grandchildren to help deliver before!
David heard about Meals on Wheels San Antonio while helping United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County with their fall campaign. After being moved by the presentation, David wanted "to become part of this incredible operation after retirement."
His favorite part of volunteering is delivering "a nutritious meal to someone who needs it." David adds, "I also like getting to know the clients and seeing their smiles when they meet me at their door. One of my first clients was a retired missionary minister who would sing songs (in Spanish) to my granddaughters when we arrived. Twelve years later, they still remember him."
We appreciate you, David, for helping deliver more than a meal! Dedicated volunteers like David have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, David, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
April 2023
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Our April Volunteer of the Month is Shirley Campbell! Shirly volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering since moving to San Antonio in 2014. She also delivered meals for three years before in Pensacola, Florida!
Shirley's faith drives her to deliver, and she says, "When you've done it unto the least of Mine, you do it unto Me." (Matthew 25:40). I enjoyed meeting the clients and doing something for them they can no longer do for themselves." Her favorite part of volunteering is "seeing the clients' smiles and expressions of gratitude for what the volunteers do for them." She happily adds, "I'm also seeing more parts of San Antonio!"
We appreciate you, Shirly, for helping deliver more than a meal! Dedicated volunteers like Shirly have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Shirly, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
March 2023
Our March Volunteer of the Month is Maria Miller! Maria volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering since 2020. She enjoys helping our older and disabled neighbors because "I know if I don't help make meal deliveries, many seniors will go hungry." She says, "the food that Meals on Wheels provides is essential to them." Maria's favorite part of volunteering is "interacting with the MOW clients. Most are homebound, so they only regularly see or interact with a few people. They are always so happy and appreciative whenever I stop by."
We appreciate you, Maria, for helping deliver more than a meal! Dedicated volunteers like Maria have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Maria, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
February 2023
Our February Volunteer of the Month is Mark Fisher! Mark volunteers as a meal delivery driver and has been delivering for nine months. He enjoys helping our older and disabled neighbors because "after retiring, I wanted to volunteer my time to a worthy cause. My mother used to receive Meals on Wheels, so I was eager to join the ranks." After some time volunteering, Mark says, "it's nice to get to know my regular clients. It's a chance for them to talk with someone and get a delicious meal."
Dedicated volunteers like Mark have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Mark, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
January 2023
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Our January Volunteer of the Month is Cynthia "Cindy" Dassing! Cindy has been helping deliver more than a meal for ten months. She enjoys helping our older and disabled neighbors because "it means a lot to me to be able to help someone else—especially if they really need the help." She first became aware of Meals on Wheels through her parents, who had done some meal delivery before.
"I enjoy helping where I can, as I really feel blessed and have a need to give something of myself to those who are less fortunate."
Dedicated volunteers like Cindy have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Cindy, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
DECEMBER 2022
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For December, our volunteers of the month are Sheryl and Dale Campbell! This husband and wife duo have been delivering together for 3 years. They enjoy helping our older and disabled neighbors! The "smiles and thank you after each delivery make it worthwhile."
Dedicated volunteers like Sherly and Dale have made it possible to ensure that our clients receive proper nutrition. Thank you, Sheryl and Dale, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
November 2022
For November, our volunteer of the month is Natasha Korri! Natasha has been delivering for AniMeals since December 2021! Dedicated volunteers like Natasha have made it possible to ensure that both the client and their furry companions are healthy and receiving proper nutrition from appropriate food sources.
Natasha volunteers because she wants to make sure our client's pets get their food too. Her favorite part is seeing the cats or dogs when they get to the home and the smiles on the owner's faces. Thank you, Natasha, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
October 2022
For the month of October, our volunteer of the month is Richard Chadick! Richard has been delivering more than a meal since 2007! It's dedicated volunteers like Richard that have made it possible to provide nourishment, independence, and care to our older and disabled neighbors for almost 45 years!
Richard volunteers to honor the memory of his wife and mother who both passed in 2006. Thank you, Richard, for helping to deliver much more than a meal!
September 2022
The volunteer of the month for September is The Reddix Center, a public school within Northside Independent School District that focuses on transition skills for Young Adults with special needs! The Reddix Center has partnered with Meals on Wheels San Antonio for over ten years with their team of adult students and staff from the school focusing on meal delivery.
Their principal says, "We teach our Young Adults to volunteer so they have a connection to their community. Volunteering for some of our Young Adults gives them purpose and a place in their community. It not only teaches them how to give back to their community but also teaches the community that our Young Adult Students have the ABILITY to contribute and give back."
She continues, "Seeing homebound individuals interacting with our Adult Students and vice versa is the best part of volunteering, along with the realization from our Young Adults that they CAN give back to their community."
Thank you, Reddix Center, for helping to deliver more than a meal!
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
A huge thank you to volunteers Allen Lu, Kent Ingram, and Will McBride! They went above and beyond to help serve up some fierce fashion in the Taylor'd for You Fashion Show on Saturday, July 24. This is just a sneak peek of the fun you'll get to see!
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021: Volunteer Appreciation Month
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
Here's a video of Dustin and Mr. Odell that makes us smile...
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020: Volunteer Appreciation Month
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
August 2018
July 2018
